The Big Match Preview: Barnet vs Wycombe

The Chairboys head back out on the road to face relegation battling Barnet at the Hive this Saturday; with a big three points on offer for both sides in their quests for success at either end of the Sky Bet League Two table.

Wanderers head into the match in fourth position looking to end a run of three games without a win and put pressure on the teams currently occupying the automatic promotion places. With third placed Notts County facing Mansfield on Saturday, there is a chance for the Chairboys to take advantage of at least one promotion rival dropping points with a win.

Three points at the Hive will be easier said than done though as Graham Westley’s Bees will also be looking for the win to spark a late revival in their quest to beat the drop. The north London outfit currently sit in 23rd position, six points adrift of safety and on Saturday will be looking to replicate the performances which saw them take three points off high-flyers Luton, Swindon and Notts County this season.

When the two sides met back in September it was Wycombe who were victorious at Adams Park, winning 3-1. The Bees began brightly but once Adebayo Akinfenwa headed the hosts in front, there was no way back and Josh Umerah and Nick Freeman extended the lead before Mauro Vilhete netted a consolation for the visitors.

Team newsDefender Richard Brindley could be in contention to feature for Barnet on Saturday after recovering from a knee problem. Defender Harry Taylor is still out with a broken metatarsal, while Elliott Johnson and Dave Tarpey are long-term absentees.

Anthony Stewart (calf), Sam Saunders (knee) and Michael Harriman (broken leg) are all nearing a return to action but this one will most likely come too soon for them. Scott Kashket returned to the squad last Saturday after recovering from a thigh strain and will be in contention for the weekend. Sido Jombati could also be considered after recovering from a knee injury and Joe Jacobson (hamstring) will be assessed after coming off midway through the second half against Cambridge last weekend.

Man in the middleLee Collins takes charge of a Wycombe game for the second time this season having taken charge of the 3-3 draw vs Cheltenham at Adams Park in October.

In total this season he’s dished out 34 yellow and one red card in his 10 EFL matches so far.

Kit Wycombe will be in their regular light and dark blue quarters with light blue shorts and socks for this fixture.

TicketsWanderers have sold out their advance allocation of 600 tickets in the North Stand behind one goal but there will be 900 tickets available to buy on the day at the Hive at no extra cost.

Please note: All ticket purchases, collections, and reprints will be from the away ticket office at The Hive on Saturday.

Chairboys fans can also book via Barnet's online ticket portal:

- Visit www.venuetoolbox.com/thehivelondon

- Select the Wycombe fixture

- Select 'Change to away'

- Print off your e-ticket and bring it with you

Prices are as follows.

Adults: £23

Concessions*: £14

Juniors (17 and under): £1

*Concessions are classed as young adults aged 18-21, and seniors aged 65+.

Travel By Adrian Wood

POSTCODE: HA8 6AG

Using the car? These are the recommended road directionsFrom Wycombe take the M40 towards London continuing on to Western Avenue / A40. At the Hanger Lane roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the North Circular Road A406. Take the 1st exit left at Staples Corner roundabout onto the A5 / Edgware Road. Follow the A5 for 3 miles. Turn left into Camrose Avenue, continue along this road and The Hive will be on your right just after the width restriction.

PLEASE NOTE: There are planned road closures around the Handy Cross roundabout which will be in place from 9pm Friday 16th March until 5am on Monday 19th March.

Mileage from High Wycombe = 32 (average journey time 50 minutes)

Suggested car parking area Barnet FC has on-site parking for up to 500 vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis at a cost of £5 on match days. However with only one exit available then expect some delays after the game. There is some street parking but nothing on Camrose Avenue. There are also 150 car parking spaces at Canons Park Tube Station (a 10-minute walk from stadium).

Fancy using the train? The nearest Underground station is Canons Parks on the Jubilee Line. It is around a 5 / 10 minute walk to the stadium. As you come out of the station turn left onto Whitchurch Lane. Cross over the road and you will come to some metal railings where there is an entrance to some playing fields which you can walk through to the ground. This brings you out at the North Terrace End of the stadium which is reserved for away fans.

Facilities for away fans Visiting supporters are housed in the new North Stand at one end, where just under 1,900 fans can be seated. This stand is covered; all seated, and was opened in October 2016 and replaced the former North Terrace. The stand does not have any supporting pillars and has a good height between rows, meaning that you get a good view of the game. Generally, the facilities within the stadium are very good and the away supporters bar located behind the stand is excellent.

Spare time before or after match? The nearest pub is Moranos on Station Road, a short walk from Canons Park Station (come out of the station, turn right and it is in the row of shops further down on the right). This Irish themed wine bar is quite comfortable and has a number of large TV screens. It is about a 10 minute walk to the away turnstiles, cutting through the playing fields (see Fancy using the train? above). Close to Kingsbury Tube Station there is a Wetherspoons pub called JJ Moons. If travelling on the Jubilee Line from Central London, then Kingsbury is only two stops before Canons Park. As mentioned above away fans do have their own spacious bar within the stadium (beer served in plastic glasses though!).

Can’t make it? Listen live on iFollow – or watch live if you live overseas – while you can also follow updates across the club’s social media channels.

Report: Barnet 0-2 Wycombe

A penalty from Joe Jacobson and a first away goal since November 2015 for Luke O’Nien saw Wycombe record a 2-0 win at Barnet.

Gareth Ainsworth made three changes for this one; with the fit again Sido Jombati replacing the injured Dan Scarr at centre-half, and Nick Freeman and Craig Mackail-Smith coming in for Nathan Tyson and Paris Cowan-Hall who dropped to the bench.

It was a relatively even start to the game amid freezing conditions at the Hive, Shaquille Coulthirst fashioned the game’s first chance as he dragged a shot wide from the edge with three minutes played.

After showing some good build-up play despite a bobbly surface, the Chairboys first chance came on 23 minutes as Freeman was found in space 18-yards out. The forward moved on to his left and brought out a smart stop from Bees keeper, Craig Ross.

Wycombe were given a huge let-off just past the half-hour mark as the ball dropped to John Akinde in space inside the box. With Scott Brown committed and the goal gaping, the target man cracked the bar and Wanderers somehow scrambled it clear.

Half-time: Barnet 0-0 Wycombe

After a first half lacking in clear-cut chances, the second period sprung into life a lot quicker as Wycombe were awarded a penalty on 50 minutes.

Freeman played in Mackail-Smith who got his body in front of his marker and was hauled down leaving referee, Lee Collins with no option but to point to the spot. Joe Jacobson stepped up and lashed the ball into the net from 12-yards; sending Ross the wrong way.

A couple of minutes later, Jacobson tried his luck again, this time from 20-yards out but Ross got down well to deny him on this occasion.

Wycombe first change came on 56 minutes; as Nathan Tyson replaced Mackail-Smith.

As Barnet had to chase the game, they began to leave gaps at the back. Great play from Freeman saw him get away down the right, crossing to Bloomfield at the back post who headed just over.

The visitors did get their second though, and it came on 70 minutes courtesy of a first away goal from Luke O’Nien since November 2015. The midfielder struck a free-kick out from the left through the corridor of uncertainty and it found its way into the Barnet net.

Wycombe’s final two changes saw Scott Kashket and Curtis Thompson replace Freeman and Bloomfield and Kashket was straight into the action, meeting a corner at the near post which somehow Barnet hooked clear.

It was so nearly three and an 18th of the season for Akinfenwa as the game entered its final few minutes. The Beast found space in the box and drilled a shot towards the far corner which Ross stopped and then took the rebound off the toe of Kashket.

The Chairboys saw the game out comfortably in the closing stages to get back to winning ways in difficult conditions.